A European perspective on the role of community nurses in sarcopenia screening for healthy aging

Abstract Population aging is accelerating worldwide, with profound implications for health systems, families, and society. Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function, has emerged as a central biological substrate of frailty and a key determinant of disability, institutionalisation, and mortality among older adults. Evidence demonstrates that sarcopenia is not an inevitable consequence of aging but a modifiable condition amenable to interventions such as exercise, nutritional optimisation, and chronic disease management. Therefore, early detection is essential to prevent downstream sequelae affecting mobility, metabolism, cognition, and cardiovascular health. However, advanced diagnostic methods are rarely accessible in community settings, where most older adults reside. This paper presents a Perspective that discusses the potential and challenges of involving community nurses in sarcopenia screening for healthy aging within the European context. Instruments such as the SARC-F questionnaire, its adaptations with calf circumference (SARC-Calf) or body mass index (SARC-F + EBM), and performance-based measures like handgrip strength or gait speed offer feasible approaches for first-level detection. Community nurses are strategically positioned to lead this process in the future. By integrating sarcopenia screening into routine visits, home care encounters, or wellness assessments, nurses can act as sentinels and care coordinators, triggering comprehensive geriatric assessments by multidisciplinary teams when a risk is identified. Such nurse-led pathways align with preventive, person-centred models of care, ensuring timely interventions and reducing the likelihood of late-stage disabilities. Embedding sarcopenia screening into community nursing practice offers a scalable strategy to promote healthy aging, preserve independence, and reduce the healthcare costs. Further research is warranted to evaluate the long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of this approach.